Multioutlet depositor

Abstract

An apparatus for the portioning and depositing of food products in form/fill/seal machines and other food packaging machinery into pockets that are then evacuated and sealed. A food pump outlet is connected to a manifold which has a number of outlets corresponding to positions over the pockets. A cutoff knife blocks the flow from each outlet. A programmable logic controller activates a first knife causing it to open with a single accurate portion of food product being pumped through the outlet and then cut cleanly by the knife. The operation continues for the remaining pockets which are provided with a single distinct and accurate portion for each pocket. Optionally, a double cut operation may be programmed into the logic controller. Once the pockets are full, the controller signals the packaging machine to index.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A multi-outlet depositor for portioning and depositing food products within tray pockets on form/fill/seal machines and other food packaging machinery comprises: 
       a manifold at atmospheric pressure prior to portioning and having a plurality of outlets;  
       a pump for feeding a predetermined portion of food product from a static mass into the manifold and through the plurality of outlets;  
       a plurality of knives, each knife blocking an outlet in the manifold;  
       control means sequentially opening the manifold outlets by retracting the corresponding blocking knife and then cutting the flow of food product after a predetermined pumped amount of food product has passed through the outlet to be deposited in a tray pocket for final package filling by closing the manifold outlet.  
     
     
       2. A multi-outlet depositor in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
       the outlets adjacent the knives include a surface having at least a 1° angle with respect to the knives to permit the knives to operate against said surface like a scissor.  
     
     
       3. A multi-outlet depositor in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
       the control means moves the knives from a cutting to a down position blocking the flow of food product and then reopens for approximately 25% of its initial travel and then closes again assuring that any product that sticks to a knife is deposited into the pocket.  
     
     
       4. A multi-outlet depositor in accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
       the tray pockets comprise a plurality of pockets spaced in a predetermined arrangement on a tray and the manifold includes a plurality of outlets mounted above the tray each having a corresponding knife positioned adjacent an outlet.  
     
     
       5. A multi-outlet depositor in accordance with  claim 1  further including: 
       a pneumatic drive system having a plurality of pistons each piston coupled to a knife and operated by the control means.  
     
     
       6. A multi-outlet depositor in accordance with  claim 5  wherein: 
       the control means comprises a programmable logic controller for operating the pneumatic drive system for knives.  
     
     
       7. The method of portioning and depositing food products into tray pockets on form/fill/seal machines, which comprises steps of: 
       providing a static mass of food product;  
       providing a manifold having a plurality of outlets;  
       maintaining each outlet in a closed position with a knife;  
       opening the manifold outlets in sequence by retracting the corresponding knife;  
       pumping a predetermined portion of food through open manifold outlets;  
       closing the outlet by returning the knife to its original position cutting off an accurate portion of food product pumped therethrough; and,  
       depositing the portion of food product into a tray pocket.  
     
     
       8. The method of portioning and depositing food products in accordance with  claim 7  further including the step of: 
       indexing a further tray into position to have food portions deposited into tray pockets when the manifold has filled a first plurality of pockets.  
     
     
       9. The method of portioning and depositing food products in accordance with  claim 8  further including the step of: 
       partially reopening the manifold outlets by partially retracting the knives and performing a double cut on the food product to eliminate any product on the knives.